Sept. 1, 2024

August 31, 2024

We Become What We Behold



First Mennonite Church

Sugarcreek, Ohio

September 1, 2024

 

Worship: 9:30 – 10:30

Fellowship Time: 10:30-12:00

 

We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection

as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim.

***************************************­

We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body

of Christ, that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service.

******************************************

We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world

through our prophetic witness and action.

 

THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER


Beholding: Rest Is Productive

 

Prelude “Prayer” -arr. W. F. Ambrosia

 

Welcome & Announcements

 

Focus Statement:

In our task-mindedness, we forget that rest—ceasing from work and being still before the Lord—is not a luxury; rest is productive. We think it is a luxury to rest because we think everything depends on us. But all work, no matter how needed and useful, becomes anxious toiling if not fueled by our most-needed sustenance: rest in the Lord. And when we do, we will be reminded that God chooses to make His home with us when He invites us to abide in Him. Abiding is active—it’s a choice, and it doesn’t happen passively. It is a deliberate pursuit. If home is where the heart is, then what we love determines where we will be most steadfast. Abiding is loving Jesus above all else so that we find no other place to be than by His side. 

 

Time of Meditation “My God and I” -arr. I. B. Sergei


Call To Worship Prayer: Psalm 84

     Wherever you are, O Lord Almighty, beauty surrounds

     you. My soul yearns, even feels faint when I sense the

     presence of the Lord.

     Our hearts, our very being cry out for the presence of the

     Living Lord.

     Even the birds of the air have found their home in you O Lord,

     a source of comfort and safety where the young may be raised

     in confidence.

     Blessed are those who dwell in your presence, O Lord, for

     they are ever praising you.

     Blessed are those whose strength is in the Lord and whose

     hearts journey with the Lord, for even when they pass through

     the dark times in life, the presence of the Lord will make it a

     place and source of life.

     Hear our prayers, O Lord God Almighty, and be our comfort 

     and safety. Let your Holy Spirit watch over us and guide us

     to always walk in your presence.

     Better is one day in your presence than a thousand

     elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my

     God than live in comfort in the tents of the wicked.

     For the Lord our God is the light of the world and our

     protection. The Lord bestows favor and honor for those who

     walk in the presence of the Lord.

     ALL: Blessed, O Lord, are those who trust in you. Amen. 

 

Hymn of Gathering: HWB 5 There Is A Place of Quiet Rest

 

Prayers of the People

 

Scripture: Exodus 6:5-7

 

Hymn of Praise: HWB 544 When We Walk With the Lord  

 

Becoming: Actively Abide

   

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

 

Message: “From Barely Surviving to Spiritually Thriving as

                           We Truly Rest and Abide in God’s Presence”

 

Hymn of Response: Just A Closer Walk With Thee (bulletin)

(the offering will be brought forward)


Offering Prayer

 

Benediction: (based on John 15:9-17)

 ­Leader: Christ sends us forth: Keep my commandments, abide in

                 my love.

  People: We will go forth in peace and justice!

  Leader: Love one another, go forth to serve:

  People: We will go forth in love!

  Leader: Share in my mission, bear fruit that will last:

  People: We will go forth as your friends, rejoicing!

        All: Let us go forth in peace to witness to our community and

                world, that Christ is alive!

 

Sending Hymn: HWB 653 Abide With Me

 

Postlude “America” -arr. Samuel A. Ward

 

Sending Words:

     Go now, and bear fruit for God, fruit that will last. As Christ

      has loved you, so love one another, and abide always in God is

      love, that your joy may be complete. And may God give you

      all you ask for in Christ’s name; May Christ Jesus reveal to

      you God’s ways and call you his friends; And may the Holy

      Spirit confirm the truth within you and make your joy

      complete.

 

     People: We go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the

                    name of Christ. Amen.

 

   WORSHIP                                                                            9:30-10:30

   Guest Minister:                                                             Darcy Miller

   Worship Leader:                                                            April Shupe

   Song Leader:                                                                   April Shupe

   Organist:                                                             Margaret Cheslock   

   Pianist:                                                                       Shirley Homan

   Usher:                                                                             Monk Yoder     

 

This Week:

o  Schedule rest.

o  Close your computer.

o  Priortize heart over hustle.

o  Leave blank space on the calendar,

o  Sit still.

As we end this series:

o  Ponder how has God kept you close to Himself.

o  Describe your heavenly home to someone.

o  Fight to abide.

o  Look for His transforming grace, turning “everyday ordinary” into a holy place of becoming. 


FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

Mission Project for September: TBA

Note: Harbor of Hope is in transition at this time, so we will not be

collecting anything for the month of September.

 

Canning For Relief for 2024 will happen in the Gerber Building in Kidron Monday October 14 thru Friday October 18. Because we will be limited to 10 hour work days daily start times may vary. With the potential to do up 32,000 pounds your help and support is needed. Call/Text Trent at 330-465-4191 and schedule a time to come.

 

 THE CHURH GIVES THANKS

Sue Stauffer: Thank you for all the prayers this week. 

 

CHURCH PRAYS FOR         

Tabatha Murphy: Grandma’s cousin Vivian has passed away.

Sue Stauffer: We will be travelling for the next 3 weeks. Also keep Jim Cahill in your prayers as he goes through treatments.

 

THIS WEEK

Sept. 1st          Happy Birthday, Jean Stevanus

Sept. 1st          Happy Birthday, John Yoder

Sept. 2nd         Happy Anniversary, Amy & Paul Stauffer-McNutt

Sept. 3rd         Happy Birthday, Keutmy Phoutarath

Sept. 4th          Happy Birthday, Dan Hostetler     

 

NEXT  WEEK         

   Text:  Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125; James 2:1-17

   Minister:                                                                                   Mike Gehman 

   Worship Leader:                                                                          Kristy Keim

   Head Usher:                                                                                Monk Yoder


LAST WEEK

    ATTENDANCE:                                                                               20 

    OFFERING:                                                                                  $910

    Change for a Dollar:                                                                $8

 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP

   Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm

   Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy

   Church Phone: 1-330-852-2822

   Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com

   Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org

   Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681

 

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:

   Chairperson: Mike Keim

   Office Contact: Linda Yoder

   Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus

   Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler
    Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt

 

Ending Our Summer Series: Beholding and Becoming

As Ruth Chow Simons so aptly states in her book, Beholding and Becoming–the Art of Everyday Worship:

    “You are in the process of becoming. Everyday is an

     opportunity to be shaped and formed by what moves your   

     heart…drives your thoughts…captures your gaze. Is it any

     wonder, then, that what you behold matters in your day-to

      day?”

Our prayer and hope is that as we end our summer series, you have begun to see your everyday life a little differently–to see it as God sees it: an opportunity to demonstrate His love and His faithfulness in your life. The more we behold and treasure Him, the more we become like Him and see His purposes in our everyday life.  May it be so as we journey on together!   

                                                                     ~the Worship Committee



August 14, 2026
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June 20, 2026
First Mennonite Church Sugarcreek, Ohio June 21, 2026 Happy Father’s Day! Worship: 9:30 am Coffee & Fellowship Time: 10:30 am We believe in Jesus and take his life, teachings, death and resurrection as the model for how we live and the message we proclaim. ***************************************­ We seek to be a caring and discerning community, the gathered body of Christ, that welcomes all to join in worship, study, and service. ****************************************** We embody God’s transforming and redeeming Spirit in the world through our prophetic witness and action. THE CHURCH WORSHIPS TOGETHER God’s Faithfulness ~Gathering~ Prelude: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” -arr. John Carter Welcome& Announcements Focus Statement: In Psalm 100:5, the psalmist declares that the Lord is good and his love endures forever, and his faithfulness continues through all generations. We have seen the many ways said that God has shown his love and faithfulness to us through the years, as followers of Jesus Christ and as believers who worship together as First Mennonite Church. How can we live and share about God’s love and great faithfulness in our lives, as we continue to follow Christ today? Time of Meditation: “Trust and Obey” -arr. Johanna Miller Call to Worship: Leader: Let us worship the eternal God, the Source of love and Life, who creates us. People: Let us worship Jesus Christ, the risen one who lives among us. All: To the one true God be praise, in all times and places, through the grace of Jesus Christ. Invocation Hymn of Gathering : HWB 71 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee ~Praising & Praying~ Psalm Litany: Psalm 89:1-8 (NIV) Leader: I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. People: I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. Leader: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, People: ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’ Leader: The heavens praise your wonders, LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. People: For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? Leader: In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. People: Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? All: You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. Hymn of Praise: HWB 70 Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Prayers of the People Hymn of Praise: HWB 327 Great is Thy Faithfulness ~Hearing God’s Word~ Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1--14 Message: “God’s love and faithfulness abounds…passing it on” ~Responding~ Hymn of Response: HWB 338 I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous (the offering will be brought forward) Offering Prayer ~Sending~ Sending Hymn: HWB 420 Heart with Loving Heart United Benediction: Leader: We go now with faith, trusting God’s Spirit to guide us; People: We go now with hope, waiting for the fullness of Christ’s reign. Leader: We go now with love, resting in God’s care and the care of God’s people. All: We go out with joy: to listen and speak, to sing and suffer, to proclaim good news, and give glory to God. Postlude: “A Gaelic Blessing” -John Rutter Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the gentle night to you, Moon and stars pour their healing light on you, Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you, Deep peace of Christ to you. Sending Words WORSHIP 9:30-10:30 Pastor: Mike Gehman Worship Leader: Bruce Stauffer Pianist: Suzanne Stauffer Usher: Mike Keim FMC LIVES IN DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER Mission Project for June: My Coins Count Each year, coins and bills collected by children, families and churches along with matches add up to more than $600,000 toward MCC’s work around the world. Your coins (and bills and checks!) count! The money collected will be sent to the MCC Relief Sale held at Mt. Hope on July 10 th -11 th and go toward MCC water, education and/or food projects. Please stay for the Congregational Meeting today following worship. Remember: No church at FMC next Sunday, June 28 th . THE CHURCH GIVES THANKS FOR Melanie Blauch Archer: We went to Panama Beach to watch my granddaughter get married. Sue Stauffer: Greta and Issac are going to high school camp at Camp Friedenswald. THE CHURCH PRAYS FOR Melanie Blauch Archer: Cousin’s wife, Tammy was diagnosed with a mass in her chest. Also, Sony has passed away, prayers for family and friends. THIS WEEK June 24 th Happy Birthday, Bob Barnes June 26 th Happy Birthday, Helene Torgler June 28 th Visitation Sunday (No church at FMC) UPCOMING EVENTS July 3 rd Happy Anniversary, Dan & Amy Hostetler July 24 th Kick-Off 100 th Anniversary Event: Ice Cream Social IN TWO WEEKS: Worship Leader (7/5): Kristy Keim Head Usher: Leadership Team LAST WEEK Attendance: 27 Offering: $1195 My Coins Count: $35.25 CHURCH LEADERSHIP Pastor’s Hours: Wednesday 9:30 am-2:30 pm Church Secretary: Tabatha Murphy Church Phone: 1-330-852-2822 Email: office@firstmennonitesugarcreek.com Website: http//fmcsugarcreekoh.org Address: 113 W. Main St. P.O. Box 250 Sugarcreek, OH 44681 CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Chairperson: Mike Keim Office Contact: Linda Yoder Mission Contact: Reno Stevanus Trustees Contact: Dan Hostetler Secretary Contact: Amy Stauffer-McNutt
June 12, 2026
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